Human-computer interfaces: a principled approach to design

The purpose of this chapter is to delineate the many facets of developing interfaces in order to provide fruitful design directions for practitioners to take in the area. To this end, the chapter is divided into four distinct sections. The first, Section 10.2, provides a brief history of interface design along with defining its scope and why it is important, especially in light of the continual problems in usefulness and ease of use of many interfaces that are designed today. Based on this understanding, Section 10.3 categorises the area according to the broad treat ment of three key topic areas in interface design, covering human factors issues (see Chapter 1 for formal definitions), interface types and design principles that are important considerations in the development of interfaces. Practical applica tions of the knowledge gained from the discussions thus far will be demonstrated in Section 10.4, through two interface design cases. These cases are analysed with consideration to the issues drawn out from previous sections, thus spotlight ing the various pitfalls and benefits to design. Section 10.5 concludes the chapter with a final reflection on the nature and inherent difficulties in producing effective interfaces.